Graduation Requirements

Classes of 2020 & Beyond

Beginning with the class of 2020, students will graduate under proficiency based diploma requirements. To be awarded a diploma from Gray-New Gloucester High School, at a minimum, students must acquire 44 educational experiences AND demonstrate proficiency.

Educational Experiences

Educational experiences are defined as the equivalent of one semester (half of an academic year) of a regular school course. As compared with the traditional system, two educational experiences is equivalent to 1 traditional credit. Students earn these experiences in regular academic coursework by earning a grade of 70 or better and earning an average of at least 3 in all the standards associated with the course. Students must earn educational experiences as follows:

  • English Language Arts - 8 experiences Mathematics - 8 experiences
  • Science & Technology - 8 experiences Social Studies - 6 experiences
  • Visual & Performing Arts - 2 experiences
  • World Languages - 2 experiences
  • Health - 1 experience
  • Physical Education - 3 experiences
  • Personal Finance - 1 experience
  • Integrated Career and Education Development - 1 experience
  • Electives - 4 experiences

Proficiency

Proficiency is when students demonstrate the knowledge and skills that meet a minimum standard as defined by the Maine Learning Results. Generally, students demonstrate this understanding through assessments taken in their coursework.

Students must demonstrate proficiency in the standards defined in the Maine Learning Results in the following content areas:

  • English Language Arts Mathematics
  • Science & Technology Social Studies
  • Visual & Performing Arts
  • World Languages
  • Health Education & Physical Education Career and Education Development Guiding Principles
  • Students earn proficiency by earning a 3 or better on the graduation standards within each content area.
  • Students earn proficiency in the Guiding Principles by earning a 3 or better on the Habits of Work Standards.

Early Graduation

Students who wish to graduate from Gray-New Gloucester High School in less than four years must have a clear plan of action and meet all the graduation requirements outlined in the course catalog. Requests to graduate in three years should be made during the spring semester of the sophomore year and require approval by October 1st of the student’s third year in high school. Students who meet the requirements and the GPA standard will be eligible to receive honor cords for display during graduation ceremonies. Early graduates will not be considered in the senior class rank. To graduate early, a student must:

1. Meet with his/her school counselor to discuss goals and a plan for early graduation.

2. Provide a written proposal to the counselor for review outlining how all graduation requirements will be met. The proposal should also include a formal post-secondary plan.

3. Schedule a meeting with the principal, counselor, and his or her parent/guardian to review the early graduation request.

4. The “Early Graduation Plan” must align with all district and school policies regarding the earning of credits and be approved by the student, parent/guardian, principal, and counselor.

5. Early graduation candidates will be assigned to a senior advisory group and are able to participate in all senior activities.

6. Students must maintain passing grades in all GNG courses or the plan will be subject to review.